Our universities have been in the news in
the recent past, not because of the brilliant academic achievements of the
majority of students, but rather because of the shameful conduct of a few.
One university had to be kept closed for several months after a student
was killed in a clash between two groups of students over the ragging of
freshers. The other universities have also had their share of trouble.

Avoiding such incidents and maintaining discipline in the universities
seem to be the aims of the reintroduction of the Marshal system, which was
operational in our higher seats of learning more than 20 years ago.
Newspapers reported yesterday that authorities hope to re-implement the
system from May, with the recruitment of more than 25 trained individuals
for universities islandwide.

Parents, university staff and the vast majority of students will
certainly welcome the presence of Marshals in the universities. Their work
will be complemented by fully-staffed police posts at some universities
where student violence had flared recently.

Although some politically-motivated student groups have opposed this
move, they themselves have created the opportunity for the Marshals to
come in. It is well-known that some students engage in politics at
universities on an almost full-time basis, neglecting their own studies
and affecting the work of others as well.

These students could perhaps pause for a minute to think how lucky they
are to enter the universities in the first place. Only a certain
percentage of students who successfully pass the GCE A/Ls gain admission
to universities. In other words, only the cream of students enter the
universities. They are supposed to be the best.

No one in his right mind would suggest that political activity be
barred at universities. University students are adults with the right to
vote for and support any political party. But when political activities
override studies and affect the university en masse, it is time to say
'enough is enough'. They are not above the law, after all.

University students must bear in mind that they have only three or four
years to complete their degree. They should concentrate mostly on academic
work and everything else comes second. If they must hold placards and
shout slogans against the authorities, why not use that chance to demand
better facilities, more experienced teachers and a more market-oriented
education? Sadly, an education of good quality seems to be the last thing
that these students seek.

Of course, there are many other areas of concern.

Ragging has still not been eradicated from our universities despite an
Anti-ragging Act and numerous other legal steps. The brutal ragging of
students has even spread to technical colleges and schools. Such violence
at universities may reflect present social trends, but there cannot be any
room for brutality and mayhem in places of learning which are supposed to
instill moral values and discipline in students. The presence of Marshals
will hopefully act as a deterrent to ragging.

It goes without saying that university administrators must maintain an
extremely cordial relationship with students. All universities should have
trained counsellors to guide students on the correct path and to help
those facing difficulties, personal or academic. University staffers
should be able to pinpoint potential flashpoints and take appropriate
action, with the assistance of the Marshals.

They should combine both diplomacy and authority in ruling the
universities and maintaining their scholastic standards.